Movie Review - Juno

By Deb Shrier, MSW, LICSW

There has been quite a bit of talking about the movie, Juno, a story that portrays a 16-year-old high school student who is pregnant and unable to parent. The main character - Juno - is a spunky, bright, and interesting adolescent. She is connected to her family and has several close friends who support her during her pregnancy. The absence of a social worker in the film does leave this movie feeling a little "lighter" than one would have expected. What was missing was Juno's exploration about the relinquishment of her child and the impact this decision would have on her life.

For adopted teens, whether adopted domestically or internationally, this movie can clearly bring up a number of thoughts and feelings about their own adoption experience. With that in mind, should an adopted teen see this film? Sure, but it is important for an adoptive parent to check in afterwards about what their child thought of the movie. For adoptive parents, it might also trigger some reaction about their own experience in the adoption of their child as well as thoughts/feelings regarding birth family. For birth parents, Juno may also bring them back to a time when they faced the decision of relinquishment.

While there are aspects of adoption that were clearly missing, overall Juno portrays adoption and birthparents in a more positive light than what typically is seen on television or in movies.

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